Project Examples Using AR Tools for Biomimicry Education

Designed Inspired by Nature (The Biomimicry Institute, 2009)

^{Figure 4. Biomimicry uses natural items as design inspiration}

In this sample activity at the basic level, students discover how engineers can use biomimicry to enhance their designs. They learn how the careful observation of nature—becoming a nature detective, so to speak, can lead to innovations and products. In this activity, students reverse engineer a flower to glean design ideas for new products.

●   Engineering connection: Plants and animals are indeed nature's engineers. For example, a leaf can harness solar energy more efficiently than our best solar panels. Over millions of years, plants and animals have developed ingenious ways to survive on Earth. As engineers, we can consult nature to improve upon our existing designs and products. By studying nature, we can also gain inspiration for designs that never existed.

After this activity, students should be able to:

●    Explain how biomimicry can be used to enhance engineering design.
●    Describe the process of reverse engineering an object.
●    Explain how brainstorming in a team can lead to more creative ideas.

Before Activity

1. Gather materials.
2. Make copies of the Exploring Biomimicry Worksheet.
3. Review the above examples of biomimicry (more examples can be found through resources listed in the Reference section).
4. Practice reverse engineering a flower to prepare for the types of questions the students will ask.

With the Students

^{Figure 5. Two students reverse engineer a sunflower, © 2009 by Regents of the University of Colorado}